Best Town XI

Following a chat I had with Seamie the other night, I decided to see what people thought our best ever team would have been. Here's mine:

Shay Kelly: This may be contentious, gets the edge because of his loyalty in staying. Still a class shot-stopper, Tolka Parklast August, anyone?

Sean Dillon: His versatility sees him get in at right back. Won Under 21 caps with us, quality player and is showing it in the SPL now.

Graham Gartland: Man of the match in the 04 Cup final in my book. Colossus.

Paul McNally: Terrific defender and even though he left for Bohs, had a bit of Longford about him. Came to Flancare for the Derry match in November.

Sean Prunty: Brilliant last season, not many natural left wingers could play centre half! Local lad and a gent.

Alan Kirby: Quality player and as good as a local -- sat in Section O for the semi-final against UCD. Remember his strike at Dalymount? Or Lansdowne? He'll be back.

Vinny Perth: No explanation necessary.

Stuart Byrne: Maybe the best player we've ever had, in my opinion at least. In many ways we were the making of him and has been one of the country's best and most consistent players for nearly a decade.

Dave Savage: Moving him to the left as Kirbs is on the right. Went on to win five Ireland caps.

Richie Parsons: Two stints, great finisher, top player.

Dave Mooney: Based on one season really, but the country's top scorer even though we finished bottom, fantastic achievement. And picked up an Under 23 cap.

* There will no doubt be a few questioning my omission of Zac Hackett, but I never seem him play so I've left him out.

I'd just make two changes to that team Rocky. Digger in goals, Shay is as good a keeper maybe better in some ways but Digger just contributed so many great games for a long time and he gets my vote. Then Barry Ferguson in for Gartland. Not expecting too many to agree here but for me he was as good an organiser of the defence as I've seen, immensely respected by all his team-mates and captained us to three national trophies. The rest of your team I fully agree with.

I'd agree with most, but I think I'd have Paul Perth at centre back.

It also brings up something else that I'd been thinking about in recent weeks - how many ex-Longford players currently plying their trade elsewhere. I estimate that there are nine out of 22 that don't have ex-Town players - Bohs, Cobh, Derry, Finn Harps, Limerick, Monaghan, Sligo, Waterford and Wexford.

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Originally Posted by Longfordian

I'd just make two changes to that team Rocky. Digger in goals, Shay is as good a keeper maybe better in some ways but Digger just contributed so many great games for a long time and he gets my vote. Then Barry Ferguson in for Gartland. Not expecting too many to agree here but for me he was as good an organiser of the defence as I've seen, immensely respected by all his team-mates and captained us to three national trophies. The rest of your team I fully agree with.

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Agree about Digger.

And while Barry was an excellent leader, I feel Garto is a far better player, so I would agree with Rocky about picking Garto.

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Originally Posted by town73

I'd agree with most, but I think I'd have Paul Perth at centre back.

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Yeah Paul Perth came into my thinking alright when reading Rocky's post. Excellent player, pity about the injuries.

Suppose it's whether it comes down to the contribution they made or their ability or a mixture of both. Garto was probably a better player ability wise but he didnt play nearly as much as Barry. Each to their own, both were very good.

take out mooney put in mumbles. That goal against Rovers :D

Or the team i'd pick.

Vinny, Vinny, Vinny, Vinny, Vinny, Vinny, Vinny, Vinny, Vinny, Vinny, Vinny.

Subs : Vinny, Vinny, Vinny, Vinny, Vinny.

Remember God is more than one being;)

"We all dream of a team of Eric Lavines" cried Section O back in the day...

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Originally Posted by Longfordian

"We all dream of a team of Eric Lavines" cried Section O back in the day...

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oh weren't they so wise:rolleyes::D

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Originally Posted by Longfordian

Suppose it's whether it comes down to the contribution they made or their ability or a mixture of both. Garto was probably a better player ability wise but he didnt play nearly as much as Barry. Each to their own, both were very good.

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Very true.

Wonder if Heysham El Kershi and Zac Hackett would have made it if they played in our glory years. I'd place Digger ahead of Shay Kelly, purely because of the many good memories of him in goal.

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Originally Posted by max power

take out mooney put in mumbles. That goal against Rovers :D

Or the team i'd pick.

Vinny, Vinny, Vinny, Vinny, Vinny, Vinny, Vinny, Vinny, Vinny, Vinny, Vinny.

Subs : Vinny, Vinny, Vinny, Vinny, Vinny.

Remember God is more than one being;)

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What formation would you play there Max? I reckon Vinny in the hole just behind Vinny and Vinny would cause problems for any team. Not sure how great Vinny would be under crosses but with Vinny and Vinny in front of him he should be OK :D

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Originally Posted by Longfordian

I'd just make two changes to that team Rocky. Digger in goals, Shay is as good a keeper maybe better in some ways but Digger just contributed so many great games for a long time and he gets my vote. Then Barry Ferguson in for Gartland. Not expecting too many to agree here but for me he was as good an organiser of the defence as I've seen, immensely respected by all his team-mates and captained us to three national trophies. The rest of your team I fully agree with.

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Yeah, to be honest I wrestled with those two selections. But, I'm the boss, I'm the gaffer... the buck stops with me ;)

john mc keown for your best manager
do ye remember him back in your junior days

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Originally Posted by PAURO 7

Wonder if Heysham El Kershi and Zac Hackett would have made it if they played in our glory years. I'd place Digger ahead of Shay Kelly, purely because of the many good memories of him in goal.

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Funnily enough I met the two of them before the cup final against Cork in that pub all the Town fans were in before the game! They were sound & we had a few minutes chat. Legends. They were part of the Town team that I first ever saw.
Jelly Kelly in goals anyone, what about Alan Weldrick up front?

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Originally Posted by Salmon Coloured

Funnily enough I met the two of them before the cup final against Cork in that pub all the Town fans were in before the game! They were sound & we had a few minutes chat. Legends. They were part of the Town team that I first ever saw.
Jelly Kelly in goals anyone, what about Alan Weldrick up front?

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Another couple from those days and the team that i think missed out on promotion by only 2 or 3 points at the time as well as getting to the first division shield final. Was it Paul Kelly in goal? I can remember thinking at the time that he was an unbelievable goalkeeper. I think he won a couple of underage caps as well but could be mistaken. Pierce Walsh anyone? And Jonny Morris Burke! Hard to know how they'd compare with some of todays lads all right.

[quote=sorbothegreek;905231And Jonny Morris Burke![/quote]

What a mullet and tash combo!

Paul Kelly did pick up an Under 21 cap I believe.

Salmon Coloured, I think you mean Anthony 'Jelly' Keenan. Good keeper.

*cough* Ian Wexler *cough*

;)

Damien Dunleavy=Legend. At times I see flashes of him in Torres

I fondly remember Dully's efforts up front.

and for sheer comedy, Id replace Gartland in that team for the sweet 'helium' voice of Frank Darby bolstering up the defence :D